Normally, Brazil being in town is a moment of high excitement for any set of supporters.

But it says much about the swashbuckling football Liverpool have delivered recently that Anfield saw arguably one of its dullest 90 minutes of the season when the Selecao took on Croatia in a World Cup warm-up friendly on Sunday afternoon.

The game was eventually lit up when Neymar, having come on from the bench for his first appearance after three months out with injury, produced a typically brilliant individual strike to score on 69 minutes.

The Liverpool fans in attendance finally got to see what they came for when Roberto Firmino lobbed in Brazil’s second goal deep in injury time.

And there was plenty of intrigue elsewhere as the club’s past, present and future all combined.

A final farewell to Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Liverpool FC and Spartak Moscow at Anfield on December 6, 2017 (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Welcome back, then, to Philippe Coutinho , returning to the stage he graced for five years.

It was the playmaker’s first appearance at Anfield since completing a £142m move to Barcelona in January. He never had a chance for a proper goodbye.

Coutinho’s behaviour last summer in a failed attempt to force a move through to the Camp Nou meant there was only ever going to be recrimination among certain sections of the Reds support, even if his performances during the first half of the campaign were among his best for the club.

So it was interesting to see how he was received by the Anfield crowd.

In truth, Coutinho was primarily on friendly ground, with those inside the stadium primarily decked in Brazil colours. Yet when his name was read out before kick-off, there were one or two audible jeers among the cheers report the Liverpool Echo .

Coutinho didn’t make a great start, bounced off the ball several times in the early stages and slack in possession. He didn’t seem quite himself, not least when sending successive shots into orbit after trademark drift in from the left wing.

He wasn’t helped by some rough treatment from Croatia’s Atletico Madrid right-back Sime Vrsaljko, who wasn’t exactly standing on ceremony.

There were much louder jeers for the ex-Red midway through the first half, although they were primarily from the Croatia fans who packed the Anfield Road End. Further discontent was clear on his late substitution.

Coutinho will find his feet before the World Cup, just like he is doing at Barcelona after a shaky start. But Liverpool have now moved on.

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Firmino stakes his claim once again

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino is challenged by Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Coutinho may be long gone, but one Brazilian remains at Anfield from his time at the club.

And Roberto Firmino, despite only starting as a substitute, was afforded the biggest cheer ahead of the game, surpassing that even of Neymar.

In opposition, Dejan Lovren , excellent in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last weekend, gained the loudest backing of those in the Croatia ranks.

Lovren may never win over some Liverpool fans but there’s no doubt he has grown in terms of responsibility and maturity since the arrival of Virgil van Dijk. His display up against Cristiano Ronaldo in Kiev was the ultimate proof of that.

Lovren came close early on with a header that flashed narrowly wide, but was lucky not to pick up a booking when going straight through Brazil midfielder Paulinho.

Firmino was introduced shortly before the hour for Gabriel Jesus, Brazil’s captain for the afternoon.

And the song soon booming out from the Kop indicated that while he may not as yet be a regular for his country, he has become an integral part for Jurgen Klopp ’s Liverpool.

On this evidence, perhaps Brazil might consider following suit, Firmino getting his goal in the final minute of injury time with a clever finish over Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

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Fabinho’s absence becomes clear

Liverpool are almost certain to move for a new goalkeeper this summer, with Roma’s Alisson’s persistently linked despite the Reds at present not entertaining a move for the player.

Alisson’s last visit here in April saw him ship five goals to a Mohamed Salah-inspired Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

Nerves got the better of him early on, twice belting the ball out of play under no pressure and fumbling a routine shot from range before grabbing at the second attempt.

In front of the Kop, he didn’t really have much to do in the first half, although his overall distribution wasn’t on point. And Alisson escaped when belting a clearance against Croatia striker Ante Rebic just before half-time.

He atoned with a good save after the break from the same player’s low header, but otherwise this wasn’t the ideal showcase for his talents. Real Madrid, by the way, appear to have jumped to the front of the queue for his signature if reports in Spain are to be believed.

Liverpool fans wondering why Fabinho hasn’t been included in the Brazil squad were offered an explanation here.

The £40m man is a relatively recent convert to defensive midfield having started his career at right-back.

And Brazil are blessed in the engine room, not least with head coach Tite choosing three similar types - Fernandinho, Paulinho and Casemiro - to start against Croatia, a move which left Brazil somewhat short of creativity in midfield until Neymar arrived.

Fabinho’s star will surely rise with Champions League exposure at Liverpool, part of the reason he has moved to Anfield.

Of the rest, Ivan Perisic was impressive for Croatia and that Neymar bloke for Brazil wasn’t too shabby.

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